Discussion on Women Education and Empowerment in India

Discussion on Women upbringing and Empowerment in IndiaWomen constitute almost half of the population in the world. tho the regular masculine ideology made them suffer a lot as they were denied equal opportunities in different parts of the world. The rise of feminist ideas collapse, however, lead to the tremendous mendment of womens condition by dint of out the world in new-fangled times. India organism a ontogenesis nation and having huge tussles among its insurance policy-making, religious and administrative organs resulting into blocked discipline and the worst effect of that we stack witness into women condition .They do not project proper contingency to learn and grow and access to fel smallship has been one of the most jam demands of womens rights . Women facts of feeling in India has as well been a major(ip) preoccupation of twain the political sympathies and civil troupe as educated women rout out crop a very important eccentric in the festering of the country. biography of Women Education in India(4,6)Although in the Vedic period women had access to aiming in India besides as the time grew they lost this right to serve genteelness and academic exposure. However, in the British period there was revival meeting of interest in womens grooming in India due to Britishers strong invite to the core Indian cultivation governance. During this period, dissimilar socio religious movements led by eminent persons like Raja Ram Mohan Roy, Iswar Chandra Vidyasagar emphasized on womens command in India. Mahatma Jyotiba Phule, Periyar and Baba Saheb Ambedkar were leaders of the lower ranks in India who took various beginning(a)s to make education available to the women of India. They overly ensured rough their participation in the cordial gatherings and events by introducing them into polity and administration at all levels. However womens education got a fillip aft(prenominal) the country got independence in 1947 and the po litics has make watern various measures to provide education to all Indian women. As a result womens literacy regularise has gr proclaim over the three decades and the evolution of fe virile literacy has in fact been postgraduateer than that of male literacy site. While in 1971 provided 22% of Indian women were lite swan, by the end of 2001 54.16% effeminate person were literate. The growth of female literacy rate is 14.87% as comp ard to 11.72 % of that of male literacy rate and is on growing path. governing body activity has taken a step forward by making education compulsory and free to fille child till the age of fourteen. They atomic number 18 giveting reservations in public field exams and private sectors like Banks, raptus Services, Hospitality and Tourism, Healthc be etc. (4. dissolvedom Struggle By- Bipin Chandra Pal)Table The Literacy measure in India 1901-2011Percentage of Literates to total populationYear Persons Males Females1901 5.3 9.8 0.71911 5 .9 10.6 1.11921 7.2 12.2 1.81931 9.5 15.6 2.91941 16.1 24.9 7.31951 16.7 24.9 7.31961 24.0 34.4 13.01971 29.5 39.5 18.71981 36.2 46.9 24.81991 52.1 63.9 39.22001 65.38 76.0 54.02011(Recent data) 74.04 82.14 65.46The above remand shows that there is an improvement in women literacy in India during the years. But when we compare it with male literacy it be recognises a concern area. (9. Censusindia.gov.in)Importance of Women Education in India(7)Women education in India plays a very important type in the overall development of the country. It not only assistances in the development of half of the human resources, hardly in improving the graphic symbol of life at home and outside. meliorate women not only tend to promote education of their girl children, plainly also flock provide better guidance to all their children. yet educated women can also jock in the reduction of sister mortality rate and growth of the nation.Education is a potent legal document in the emancip ation and empowerment of women. Its true that greatest single component part which can incredibly improve the precondition of women in any(prenominal) ordering is education. It is indispensable that education enables women not only to gain more k without delayledge almost the world outside of her shell and home unless helps her to get attitude, positive self esteem, and self confidence. It imparts necessary courage and inner special(prenominal)ty to face challenges in life. Apparently it also facilitates them to procure a transaction and supplement the income of family and achieve neighborly status. Education specially of women has a major impact on health and nutrition as an instrument of developing a sustainable strategy for population hold. Moreover educated women can play an equally important role as men in nation building. Thus there is no denying fact that education empowers women. For deterrent example the different organs of the United Nations and experts on wo mens liberation argue for womens education as the basic step to attain equality with men. ( 7. Saraswathi Mishra, Status of Indian Women,Gyan Publishing House, New Delhi, 2002)ObstaclesAs we have treated earlier to improve women education and condition in India various initiatives and corrective measures have been through with(p) but motionlessness a lot is expected to be accomplished.THE ROOT CAUSES FOR wiped out(p) LITERACY AMONG WOMEN IN INDIAWomen education is a multi-dimensional phenomenon. No single factor or military campaign can be held responsible for very low literacy rate of women in India. Subsequently it is associated with combination of many an(prenominal) factors including amicable, cultural, economic, educational, demographic, political and administrative and so on. The following are the any(prenominal) of the important factors which could be attributed for the present measly state of affairs of womenfolk in education.The Lower Enrolment The lower entry of girls in give lessonss is one of the foundational factors which stand as stumbling block for women empowerment in India. Reliable sources indicate that more than 50 % of the Non-Starters (those who have neer been to naturalize) are girls. According to the latest statistics, two out of all(prenominal) ten girls in the age group of 6-11 are still not enrolled in schools. (1) heights drop-out rate among girls from schools The incidence and prevalence of drop -outs among girls especially in rural, tribal and slums areas seem to be quite high. According to available sources, occurrence of drop-out and stagnancy amongst girls is nearly twice that of boys all over India. (1)Girl Child as Second M early(a)In many families girl children play the role of second mother by shouldering the responsibilities of household dress such as looking after the sibling, fetching water, collecting firewood, bringing fodder for cattle, cleaning and cooking etc. In rural India especially in suffering families this traditional sex role makes girl child handicapped and well-read by the attitude of mother and the family and discourages girl child to go school as it becomes secondary and unimportant. Hence girl child is get deprive of her basic and funda rational right of education and freedom. (8)Bonded Labor System This affable evil is a quite discouraging phenomena which stand as restriction for girls education in rural areas for the underprivileged families of washer men and pastoral labor , scheduled caste and scheduled tribes.Caste System as a Barrier Children belonging to low caste families are constrained to learn skills and work ways and not encouraged to go to school due to various factors. Strict instruction /threat from high caste communities for their selfish motives of keeping them as domestic servants and child laborers in the farms or factory. We can witness this through the stories of various factories and farm houses in industrial cities of India. Media is also playing a crucial role here in promoting as well as resisting these mishaps. (8)Bane of DowryDowry system and other social practices act as briny causes of the neglect of the girl child and inconsistency against girl child including the deprivation of right of education. In many families especially measly and guttle-trodden think that if their daughters are educated more, they have to accumulate more assets and properties to provide as dowry in enceinte proportion at the time of spousal, so prefer rather to all stop their children with average education and so on but never higher education. This prevails more in underprivileged families and communities. (1)Child Labour usageA large segment of child population in India is intermeshed in child weary practices. According to UN sources India is the most child labour populous nation in the globe with more than 50 zillion child labourers indulged in beedi works , carpet making , bricks, mining , tap ,glass, bangles, match and fireworks, gem polishing ,handloom works. zari, embroidery ,coir industry, domestic works, construction etc. In most of these industries girl children are preferred for high productiveness and low cost. (8)Poor School Environment for girls In general the school environment for girls in India is not really interesting and encouraging. The subjects taught in schools are also not related to the environment of girl children. The methods of t separatelying are mostly out dated, rigid and uninteresting. on that point are still hundreds of schools with scant(p) basic amenities such as drinking water, latrine and toilet facilities, incorrect building, and inadequate number of teachers especially female teachers preferable for any parents for safety device of their girl children from different types of exploitation and abuse. (7)Female age at marriage There is high association of female literacy with female age at marriage. By and large the female age at marriage of 18 ( recently 2 1 years ) as prescribed by various legislations not at all followed in India .It is very much ignored and neglected by the families of parents with low literacy and illiteracy background. This obnoxious practice discourages female children to continue their schooling and higher education as they enter into family life at the early age which is not advisable from the physical and mental health point of view and also of social development. (7)Inferiority, subservience and domesticityThe female child in Indian culture especially in rural, tribal and poor families is expected to develop the qualities of inferiority subservience and domesticity which place bankrupt limitations on her education and development. They are considered to be lesser important for getting knowledge of outside world and exposure to education and liberty. (6)Poverty as a Barrier In many scantness stricken families, children especially girls are considered as economic assets as they bring income for livelihood as well to save from economic crises due to death or senselessness of parents (sick/ handicapped/aged).Ineffective Law Enforcing MachineryIndian constitution and various legislations pertaining to education to children assure free and compulsory education all children of this nation but unfortunately the enforcement machinery fail to discharge its duties and responsibilities to the satisfaction of the public interest and eudaimonia of women. Due to this wrong implementation of right policies also women of our country is getting severely regarded. (5)Demographic FactorsThe high population growth rate, rapid urbanisation, migration etc also attribute immensely for the poor literacy level of women and girls in India. In these patronise transition girl Childs and women are getting neglected, uncared and unheard. (5)Poor Political pass on and Conviction Government officials, policy makers, politicians etc of our country have neither political ordain nor conviction for the empowerment of women in general. The only think about their personal benefits and money making ignoring the welfare of the community for whom and by whom they have reached to that position. It is a very sad and disappointing aspect of Indias democracy. (5)Gender discriminationIt still persists in India .Male are still dominating and commanding the social structure of the nation and lot more inevitably to be done to improve womens participation in this regard e.g. womens education. The gap in the male-female literacy rate is just a simple indicator. While the male literary rate is more than 75% according to the 2001 census, the female literacy rate is just 54.16%.Prevailing prejudices, low enrollment of girl child in the schools, engagements of girl children in domestic works and high drop out rate are major obstacles in the path of making all Indian women educated. (6)Poor academeAnother reason for poor quality of women educationhere is the poor quality of teachers ingovernment schools .Gover nment schools are unable toattract strong quality teachers due toinadequate teaching facilities and low salaries. The government currently spends only 3% of its GDP on educationwhich is inadequate and insufficient. Toimprovethe quality of education, the government needs tospend more money from its coffers on education. (4)Steps to improve their ParticipationA A significant development in recent years has been the mushrooming of community-based organizations and initiatives at the local level for women. Reports indicates that self-help programs, often in the name of savings and credit or micro credit schemes, have succeeded in changing the lives of poor women, enhancing incomes and generating positive externalities such as increased self-esteem. little credit is about much more than access to money. It is about women gaining control over the means to make a living. It is about women lifting themselves out of privation and vulner efficiency. I is about women achieving economic and political empowerment within their homes, their villages, their countries. (5)In this whole paper we have discussed about women condition in India in terms of access to education, opportunity to learn and grow and problems in achieving the homogeneous and at last some of the measures to rectify the errors and making things happen.B-One more initiative taken by the government is the voucher system. Under the voucher system, parents are allowed tochoose a school for their children and they get full or partial reimbursement for the expenses from the government. But however, the voucher system has also a draw back because it give further aggravate the problem of poor quality of educationingovernment schools. Such a system exit exchange resources from government schools toprivate schools. This will worsen the piazza of government schools which are already under-funded. Moreover, if the same amount given as vouchers can be used tobuild infrastructure inschools then the government ca n realize economies of scale. (6)C-The government of India has also felt the need to put in place an appropriate institutional mechanism to look after the Education Rights of Women and thus instituted the formulation of All India Womens Conference, National Womens Commission and State Womens Commission. At the same time government has approve special grants and allowances to NGOs working for the cause of women intoxicatement and social mobility. Self Help Groups have also been constituted at Panchayat level to provide a platform for the rural women to discuss issues such as family proposening, child marriage, widow remarriage, Sati, domestic violence. Mother Teresas Women Universityhas greatly helped in the cause of women empowerment who received Noble Peace bread for her genuine social work. (6)D -India is getting a great help from World Bankfor the betterment of women education and their empowerment in the country .It has approved funding for Andhra Pradesh Rural Poverty Reduc tion Programme (APRPRP) thus garnering global supportfor the upliftment of women. Womens reservation Bill in the Lok Sabha has gained momentum with Govt. of India promising the reservation of troika seats in Parliament for the women. (8)E -One of the recommendations of National Policy on Education (1986) by the Government of India is to promote empowerment of women through the histrionics of education and it is considered to be a land mark in the flack to womens education of illiterate. The National Literacy Mission is another positive step towards eradication of illiteracy in the age group of 15-35 years. Women education has assumed special significance in the context of Indias planned development, as it is incorporated in any Five-year plans as the major programme for the development of women. Universalization of elementary education, enrollment and retention of girls in the schools, promotion of balwadies and crutches, raising number of schools and colleges of arts , scienc e, and professional for girls , Politechniques, girls hostels, multipurpose institutions and adult education programmes are some of the steps being taken by some(prenominal) aboriginal and state governments in India to boost-up womens education. (5)F Since the prevailing situation of poor or less registration of girls in schools closes the doors for development and prosperity of future generation of women, concerted efforts essential be initiated jointly by the government, parents and civil society to achieve universal enrolment for girls without any compromise. The enrolment can be made even mandatary for every girls by the government in the realm of compulsory education. (5)G -The Ministry of Education both at Centre and State level should work out strategic steps to stop firmly the ongoing high drop -outs among girls especially in rural, tribal and slums areas with the serious involvement of willful organisations in every locality to realize zero drop-out among girls. (7)H -The poverty stricken families can be identified through proper enquiry and necessary poverty alleviation services be provided to strengthen the income thereby to enable the families to send their children to schools and colleges without much financial difficultiesI -Bonded Child labour and Child labour practice must be abolished with strict administrative measures and the relieved children form bondage should be integratedinto schools with suitable defence social mechanism.J Appropriate steps should be taken by the educational authorities with the participation of communities in order to bring the girl children to the main stream of education and development at every level including family and community.K -The female child in every Indian family irrespective of socio-economic status should be moulded to overcome the challenges of inferiority subservience and domesticity which place sever limitations on her education and development. Every family irrespective its socio-cultural an d economic background can take it a challenge to bring up their girl children as ennoble human being with empowerment in physical , mental, economic and social dimensions of life. (7)L The Midday meal scheme and other educational supportive services like free text books, Note books , Fee uniforms , Free Bicycles, Free bus , scholarships Free bus pass and so on as done in the state of Tamil Nadu can be provided in all states and union territories to lift up the literacy level among girls. (6)M -As social evils like dowry, child marriage , caste system and other practices deprive rights of education for children belonging to poor and underprivileged families and communities, they should eliminated through well-designed packages of intensity awareness programmes and social welfare measures with full support of public, political parties, NGOs and government agencies. (7)N -The electronic and print media can play significant role in building a good and positive image about girls and w omen in general in the society by giving no sharpen for such advertisements and news fetching commercial gain at the cost of depicting women as an object. This would help in changing the society s attitudes towards girls and their roles to treat every girl or woman as human being with self respect and dignity. (7)O -Government, voluntary sector and philanthropic organisations and individuals should come forward to provide free education for poor girls and provide free hostel facilities for girls studying in schools and colleges in every state of India. This will certainly encourage children of poor families to pursue good and higher education without much impediments. (6)P -The schools of social work, departments of women studies, Women Universities and other educational institutions in hand with NGOs and social service organisations such as rotary Clubs , Lions Clubs , women lib organisations associations can work together to improve the educational status of the womenfolk in thi s country on mutual respect and understanding. (7)Q -The parents of children belonging to poor, underprivileged families must be specially educated with proper social formula to help them to understand the significance of education for their girl children as foundation for empowerment. (1)R -Government, NGOs and public should work hand in hand to implement the nominal age at marriage (21and above) Awareness should be created to institutionalise it as a traditional practice cut acrossing castes, religions, community etc. (5)S Government officials, policy makers, political parties and others should have adequate political will and conviction to empower women in India without double standard mindT -The law enforcing machinery should be made really effective with efficient supervise vigilant system to implement the constitutional and legislative provisions and administrative measures to assure free and compulsory education for all children of this nation without any gender discrimina tion. (7)Its true that there is great deal of requirement to uplift women education in India at the grass root level because mass of the female population live in the rural areas .They do not avail the basic things in their life and to get education is still a distant dream for them. However Indian government is overture up with various scheme in their five year plan to make the situation healthy and encouraging for these women. In 1990s, grants from foreign presenter agencies enabled the formation of new women-oriented NGOs(3). Self-help groups and NGOs such as Self Employed WomenHYPERLINK http//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SEWAHYPERLINK http//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SEWAs experience (SEWA) have played a major role in womens rights in India. Many women have emerged as leaders of local movements. For example, Medha Patkar of the Narmada Bachao Andolan.Companies like NIIT Ltd. (2) has come up with the project called Affirmative Action where they are taking girls from the down trodden area s and training them about English language, basic computer knowledge and after that helping them to get jobs in Retail, BPO ,Hospitality sectors. In this way the are educating them and by providing jobs women are getting empowered in taking decision, participating in family income and by helping their kids to make the future bright and opportunity oriented. (2 , 3)There is no doubt about the fact that development of women has always been the central focus of planning since Independence. Empowerment is a major step in this solicitude but it has to be seen in a relational context. A free vision is needed to remove the obstacles to the path of womens emancipation both from the government and women themselves. Efforts should be directed towards all round development of each and every section of Indian women by giving them their due share.The status of women in India has been subject to many great changes over the past some millennia. From equal status with men in ancient times throug h the bad phases of the medieval period, to the promotion of equal rights by many reformers, the narrative of women in India has been on better track. In modern India, women have acquired high offices in India including that of the president, Prime minister, Speaker of the Lok Sabha, Leader of Opposition, etc. The current President of India is a woman. (5)A review of governments various programmes for women empowerment such as Swashakti, Swayamsidha, Streeshakti, Balika samrudhi yojana and another two thousand projects reveal that little has been done or achieved through these programmes. The discrepancy in the ideology and practice of the empowerment policy of women in India constitutes its continued social, economic and social backwardness. Women make up 52% of our countrys population. Hence there can be no progress unless their needs and interests are fully met. Empowerment would not hold any pith unless they are made strong, alert and aware of their equal status in the societ y. Policies should be framed to bring them into the mainstream of society. It is important to educate the women. The need of the hr is to improve female literacy as education holds the key to development. (2 , 3)There is no doubt about the fact that development of women has always been the central focus of planning since Independence. Empowerment is a major step in this direction but it has to be seen in a relational context. A clear vision is needed to remove the obstacles to the path of womens emancipation both from the government and women themselves. Efforts should be directed towards all round development of each and every section of Indian women by giving them their due share.I conceptualize with the likes of Pratibha Patil, Sonia Gandhi, Indra Nooyi, Chanda Kochar etc. bagging the top jobs, it would not be long when India would be boosting of its Gender Equality Index (GEI) and Gender Development Index (GDI).Lesser will be the social stigma of women exploitation which have haunted it for many years gone by.SummaryEmpowerment can be define as the totality of the following or similar capabilitiesHaving decision-making power of their ownHaving access to information and resources for taking proper decisionHaving a arena of options from which you can make choices (not just yes/no, either/or.)Ability to exercise assertiveness collective decision makingHaving positive thinking on the great power to make changeAbility to learn skills for improving ones personal or group power.Ability to change others perceptions by democratic means.Involving in the growth process and changes that is never ending and self-initiatedIncreasing ones positive self-image and overcoming stigma closedown From these discussions we can say that the most common explanation of womens empowerment is the ability to exercise full control over ones actions. The last decades have witnessed some basic changes in the status and role of women in our society. There has been shift in policy app roaches from the concept of welfare in the seventies to development in the eighties and now to growth in the nineties and now trumpet of empowerment. This process has been further accelerated with some sections of women becoming progressively self-conscious of their discrimination in several areas of family and public life. They are also in a position to mobilize themselves on issues that can affect their overall position.